The government will create up to 20,000 more apprenticeships with a number of reforms including fully funded training and cutting red tape for small firms.

In his first economic speech since the Spring Budget, the prime minister is expected to set out a package of reforms, including the cutting of red tape for small and medium-sized enterprises, and more apprenticeship places.

“Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for businesses to develop the skills they need, and these new measures will help more businesses and young people benefit from them,” education secretary, Gillian Keegan, stated, adding, “our plan to deliver a high-growth, high-skilled economy is working, with more opportunities available to young people than ever before.”

The government is expected to fully fund apprenticeships in small businesses from 1 April by paying the full cost of training for anyone up to the age of 21. This will remove the need for small employers to meet some of the cost of training and saves time and costs for providers like further education colleges who currently need to source funding separately from the government and businesses.

Additionally, from the start of April, the government will also increase the amount of funding that employers who are paying the apprenticeship levy can pass onto other businesses.